Sport program cut to save $17,000 TASMANIAN schoolchildren have been denied the chance to participate on the national sports stage – because of a decision which will save $17,000. In an era of childhood obesity and inactivity, the Department of Education has knocked back an invitation to join School Sport Australia, leaving Tasmania as the only Australian state or territory not a member of the national organisation. About 400 of Tasmania’s most talented school age sports stars across 11 sports are now unable to attend the annual national championships after this year. Previously, through the goodwill of SSA, Tasmanian teams have been able to participate through their individual sports governing bodies but now School Sports has requested Tasmania pay the annual fee like every other state. Based on a per capita formula, Tasmania was asked to pay $17,000 annually to join — about $40 a child — which the Department of Education declined. SSA executive officer Brad Allen confirmed the state’s withdrawal to the Mercury yesterday and said he was surprised at Tasmania’s decision after months of negotiations. “As much as a month ago I was hopeful of meeting a resolution but I was told it would not be reached,” Mr Allen said. “We would love to have Tasmania in to be part of the national competition, there is no doubt about that“But we recognise the right of the Education Department of each jurisdiction to participate in the affiliation but unfortunately at this stage Tasmania has indicated it won’t be reaffiliated, which is disappointing.” A spokesman for Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Department of Education, Tasmanian Catholic Education Office, Independent Schools of Tasmania and Sport and Recreation Tasmania found the deal was not value for money. “We had concerns about the limited services provided for the cost of affiliation and the requirement for an additional administrative position,” the spokesman said. The sports impacted will be track and field, cross country, tennis, netball, cricket, football, hockey, touch football, swimming, orienteering and diving. On Monday, Hobart will host the SSA national hockey championships for 12-year-olds and under. The event will be opened by Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman. More than 200 children, plus parents, coaches and team managers, will fly to Hobart for the event. Diving Tasmania president David Hanlon said the sports did not become aware of the withdrawal until informed by SSA. “SSA has done everything within their means to try and draw the various parties together down here in Tasmania,” Mr Hanlon said. “We are only a very small sport. It is important in providing an objective for our participants to say we can be involved in these events,” Mr Hanlon said. As well as being denied access to the annual events, Mr Hanlon said Tasmania’s divers, swimmers and touch footballers are now unable to compete in next year’s Pacific School Games in Adelaide — the only Australian state not represented. “It is a great opportunity for schools and schoolchildren from right across Tasmania to be involved in the Pacific School Games but for Tasmania not be involved will be very disappointing,” Mr Hanlon said. “From a wider sporting perspective it is a very disappointing, especially when participation is at the forefront on everyone’s mind.” Tasmania’s withdrawal from School Sport Australia may hinder Jacques Barwick’s dreams of one day becoming an AFL star, his father fears. Jacques, 12, was a member of last month’s Tasmanian under-12 team that competed at the SSA national championships in Sydney. Aaron Barwick, from Berriedale, said his son was thrilled to pull on the Tasmanian football jumper. “If he wants to play AFL later on, this is probably the pathway that gets them there,” Mr Barwick said. “If that’s all out the door the kids have no opportunity to be recognised.”
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 00:40:18 +0000
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